Advertise on podcast: Autotown with Jamie Butters

Jamie Butters is joined by Mike Ramsey, vice president at Gartner, to discuss automaker earnings and their implications. Mike and Jamie Stop at the Coffee Shop to discuss Drowsy Driving Prevention Week with Joseph Dzierzewski from the National Sleep Foundation. Then Jamie and Mike end up at the Town Hall to talk hybrid strategy.

Jamie Butters Drives Around the Block with Kurt Nagl from Automotive News to talk about General Motors plans for making hybrid crossovers. They Stop at the Coffee Shop with Lisa Krusemark from the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor to discuss how U.S. drivers make American roads unusually unsafe. Kurt and Jamie Browse the Dealership Lot with Jay Maxwell, who leads the Costco Auto Program, about the popularity of the Chevy Silverado in that program. Then Jamie and Kurt visit the Town Hall to talk about in-car AI agents.

Jamie Butters and Automotive News reporter Richard Truett Stop at the Coffee Shop to talk with Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America, about the upcoming three-row GV90, the “wow moment” of its coach doors and the challenges of marketing such a tech-laden model.

Jamie Butters is joined by Detroit Free Press reporter Jackie Charniga to discuss General Motors’ tech strategy. They Browse the Dealership Lot with Alex Knizek from Consumer Reports to examine the Hyundai Venue, the lowest-priced new vehicle on the U.S. market. Jackie and Jamie Stop at the Coffee Shop to ask Mark Wakefield from AlixPartners how China is impacting the European auto industry and what the U.S. needs to learn from it. And in the Town Hall, Jamie and Jackie discuss UAW priorities and in-vehicle AI assistants.

Jamie Butters is joined by Matthew DeBord to talk about the Tesla Roadster reveal. And they Stop at the Coffee Shop to chat with John Wall, president of QNX, a division of BlackBerry. And in the Town Hall, Matt and Jamie talk about UAW priorities in 2028 negotiations.

Jamie Butters is joined by veteran automotive journalist Greg Migliore to discuss the new generation of car collectors and Stellantis making a statement in Paris. They Stop at the Coffee Shop to chat with Eli Leland, co-founder and CTO at Voltaiq, about trends in the battery industry. And at the Town Hall, Greg and Jamie talk about which policy or macroeconomic changes would most help the auto industry.

Jamie Butters is joined by Richard Truett, reporter at Automotive News, to discuss the Jaguar Type 01. And they Stop at the Coffee Shop with veteran industry executive Larry Dominique to talk about the China threat. And they visit the Town Hall to discuss what policy moves could do the most to help the auto industry.

Jamie Butters is joined by David Welch, Detroit bureau chief for Bloomberg News, to discuss trade with Canada and General Motors big truck plans. They Stop at the Coffee Shop to talk about automated driving possibilities and challenges with C.J. Finn, the partner at PwC who leads their U.S. auto practice. David and Jamie Browse the Dealership Lot with Jessica Caldwell, looking at the Infiniti QX65. And the three of them go to the Town Hall to talk about plug-in hybrids and what could best lift the auto industry.

Jamie Butters is joined by Kalea Hall from Reuters to discuss General Motors’ powertrain strategy. They Stop at the Coffee Shop with Steffen Fuchs, managing partner at McKinsey & Co., to talk about the return on investment in artificial intelligence — or lack thereof. NEW FEATURE: Kalea and Jamie visit the Autotown Theater to hear from Jimmie Comer III about a Southfield, Michigan, production of Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew.” Jamie and Kalea end up at the Town Hall discussing the merits of plug-in hybrids.

Autotown and Franco PR hosted a happy hour ahead of the Automotive Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sept. 23, 2026. Jamie Butters moderated a panel discussion with John Murphy of Murphy Automotive Partners, Mary Arraf from Aumovio, James Davies from Guaranteed Outcomes and Brent Snavely from Franco. They discuss the biggest challenges facing the industry and why — as Jamie put it — collaboration and communication are the only way out.

Jamie Butters is joined by Richard Truett, reporter at Automotive News, to discuss prospects for a Stellantis-Land Rover project and how Ford is using AI to improve quality. They Stop at the Coffee Shop to dig in on rising vehicle prices with Rick Wainschel from Catalyst IQ. Richard and Jamie Browse the Dealership Lot with Scotty Reiss to explore the next-generation Hyundai Tucson. And the three of them visit the Town Hall to talk about off-road styling and the utility of plug-in hybrids.

Jamie Butters is joined by Michael Wayland, auto industry reporter for CNBC, to discuss the outlook for third-quarter auto sales in the U.S. They Stop at the Coffee Shop to discuss Jay Leno’s Law with Mike Spagnola, CEO of SEMA. Michael and Jamie Browse the Dealership Lot with Jill Ciminillo to check out the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ electric compact sedan. The three of them go to the Town Hall to discuss brand loyalty and the increase in off-road trims and models.

Jamie Butters is joined by guest co-host Martin French, formerly managing director for Berylls and a global vice president for Webasto. And they Stop at the Coffee Shop to chat with Alan Haig, founder and CEO of Haig Partners, about the M&A market for auto dealerships. Then Martin and Jamie visit the Town Hall to discuss brand loyalty. There’s a lot to see in Autotown!

Jamie Butters is joined by Joe Whilte, author of the High Speed Rodeo blog, to discuss what AI titans can learn from the auto industry. They Stop at the Coffee Shop to chat with NADA CEO Mike Stanton about auto dealers’ priorities in Washington, including bills regarding Chinese cars and the Right to Repair. Joe and Jamie Browse the Dealership Lot with Sean Tucker, managing editor at KBB, about how the Nissan Leaf earned the title of Best New Model of 2026. Jamie and Joe end up at the Town Hall to discuss how the U.S. auto industry has changed in the quarter century since 9/11 — it’s complicated.

Jamie Butters is joined by guest host Michael Martinez from Automotive News to discuss Ford’s new paint shop for the Kentucky Truck Plant and the company’s efforts to improve quality. They Browse the Dealership Lot with John Walawender, Ford’s F-150 consume brand manager, to talk about the latest updates for 2027 including Blue Cruise with towing and lower-priced Tremor and Raptor variants. Mike and Jamie also stop at the Town Hall to talk about the state of the industry 25 years after 9/11.